Perdernales
- Longboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Perdernales is a low-profile, exposed sandy beach break on Ecuador’s Pacific coast. The spot is described as having pretty consistent surf and often forms an A-frame pattern with multiple peaks along a long stretch of sand, giving surfers a range of takeoff spots along the beach. Surf can be fun and hollow, with reports of powerful sections that may still be challenging depending on conditions. Some information characterizes overall wave quality as poor to fair/average, and notes that rides are often short and punchy, with waves prone to closing out—especially on larger swells or around low tides. Conditions are strongly influenced by wind timing. Easier sessions are typically in the early morning when easterly winds tend to be offshore and help groom the faces. As the day progresses, an afternoon sea-breeze/thermal pattern can increase onshore chop, so late-day sessions may feel messier. Safety planning is important here: rocks are present near parts of the beach and sharks have been reported, while rip currents are a known hazard for this type of exposed beach break. There are no lifeguards reported, and rescue support is described as limited via informal local resources. The best month for surf is consistently given as February.
- Consistent exposed beach-break surf
- Best month for surf: February
- Easterly winds can groom faces in the morning
- Low-profile, generally uncrowded atmosphere
- Generally consistent, exposed sandy A-frame beach break.
- Works best with easterly/offshore wind (cleaner faces in the morning).
- Typically quiet/low-profile with an uncrowded feel even when surf is up.
- Warm water and ample sandy space for launch.
- Exposed conditions with limited shelter.
- Rocks and sharks are reported hazards.
- Rip currents are a concern at an exposed beach break.
- Afternoon onshore sea-breeze can make surf choppy and reduce quality.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 10–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze / thermal-assisted conditions with easterly winds; offshore easterlies in the morning can groom faces, with onshore sea-breeze effects building later.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Described as light gusts.
- Best Months
- February
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · Afternoon sea-breeze/thermal pattern with wind building later in the day.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy A-frame beach break.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Often discussed as working in the ~2–4 m swell range depending on source and conditions.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Choppier in the afternoon as onshore sea-breeze builds.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for equipment.
Through the year
Generally quiet and uncrowded, though it can see local tourists during holidays.
Rainy season runs from January to May.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed sandy A-frame beach break with multiple peaks along a long stretch of sand. Produces consistent surf, including challenging hollow, powerful sections. Typically best when offshore easterly winds groom the waves.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- WSW
- Swell Height
- 2–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Often works best around mid-tide; can close out on larger swells or low tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open and exposed beach break with limited shelter.
- Wind Effect
- Easterly winds can be offshore and provide cleaner, groomed faces; afternoon onshore sea-breeze conditions can make conditions choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and prone to closing out across the bay during significant swells.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — Some sources describe wave quality as poor; another describes it closer to average/fun but variable.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Often described as powerful, with some sources rating it poor to fair at times.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Can offer hollow, powerful sections but may also close out depending on swell/tide.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Ride lengths tend to be short and punchy; can close out on larger swells or low tides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves tend to be short and punchy, often closing out across the bay during significant swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Perdernales in the full forecast view.
Perdernales wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–8 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- WNW302°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–0.7 m9s period
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Perdernales is forecast for daytime winds of 1–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.5–0.7 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Sharks
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated kitesurf-specific rescue boat; local artisanal fishing boats are available for hire and provide informal support.
- Emergency Info
- National Emergency Number: 911. Nearest major facility: Hospital Básico Pedernales in the town center.
Rules of the spot
Use caution around rocks and do not enter if you cannot swim against rip currents; surf earlier in the day when conditions are typically cleaner before afternoon onshore wind picks up.
- Surfing is often best in the early morning before the onshore wind picks up.
- Check the sandbanks as they shift after heavy rain or big swell events.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Pedernales
- Nearest Town
- Pedernales
- Nearest Airport
- Eloy Alfaro International Airport (Manta) ~180 km south; Mariscal Sucre (Quito) ~280 km east.
- Parking
- Street parking available near the beachfront and in town.
- Public Transport
- Well-served by regional bus lines from Quito and Manta.
- Access
- Accessible by road from Santo Domingo or Manta; the beach is directly adjacent to the town.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various budget hotels and hostels are located along the Pedernales malecon.
- Food & Drink
- Local seafood restaurants and bars are available along the beachfront and town front.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited availability in town; mostly local surf rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Generally not available outside personal arrangement with beachfront hotels.
- Gear Repair
- No specialized kite or sail repair shops in the area; minor repairs must be handled locally.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A nearby fishing village known for its expansive lagoon and tranquil beaches.
The town's social hub, reflecting the resilience and reconstruction of the community after the 2016 earthquake.
Kayaking and boat tours through the extensive mangrove systems of the estuary.
Popular local spot for traditional Manabí seafood dishes.
A small island accessible by boat from Cojimíes, popular for bird watching and calm water.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Perdernales?
The best overall months at Perdernales are February.
Which wind directions work at Perdernales?
Perdernales works with E winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is Perdernales suitable for?
Perdernales suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.